Composite rocket launcher

ABSTRACT

A projectile launch system includes a longitudinally extending launch tube having an inner bore formed therethrough. The launch tube having a metal liner and a composite overwrap, and a firing pin aperture formed in the longitudinally extending launch tube. A firing pin sleeve can be coupled with the metal liner and extend through at least a portion of the firing pin aperture, and a receiver including a launch control system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/742,430, filed Oct. 7, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

FIELD

The present technology is directed to a composite rocket launcher. In particular, the present technology is drawn to a light weight composite rocket launcher.

BACKGROUND

Rocket launchers, including rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launchers are bulky and heavy pieces of equipment made from steel and/or metal to protect against the forces employed during launch of a rocket and/or grenade. The heft and bulk of rocket launchers reduces the maneuverability, transportation, and/or impedes use of the launchers. Rocket launchers can be shoulder-fired devices carried by a shoulder strap, thus weight can be a significant factor in the use and/or transportation of the rocket launcher.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate analogous, identical, or functionally similar elements. Understanding that these drawings depict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principles herein are described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective cross-sectional view of a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher according to at least one example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of section A-A of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of section B-B of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of section C-C of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of an RPG launcher according to at least one example of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of an RPG launcher and a launch control receiver according to at least one of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in details below. While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

The present disclosure is drawn to a composite rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher. The RPG launcher can have a longitudinally extending launch tube formed by a metal liner over which a composite material can be wrapped and/or bonded with an adhesive. The launch tube can be detachably coupled with a receiver having a launch control system. The launch tube can have an aperture formed therein for operably receiving a firing pin of the launch control system. The aperture can include a firing pin sleeve. The firing pin sleeve can be formed of metal and in at least some instances formed of the same metal as the metal liner of the launch tube.

The launch tube can have a muzzle end and a breech end at opposing ends of the longitudinal length. The composite wrapped metal liner forming the launch tube can have a muzzle sleeve and a breech sleeve coupled at each respective end. The muzzle sleeve and the breech sleeve can assist in terminating the composite wrapping formed over the metal liner.

The launch tube can include a nozzle therein to direct exhaust gases generated by an activated projectile. The nozzle can be formed from a metal, including the same or substantially similar metals to the metal liner. In other instances, the nozzle can be formed from different metal and coupled with the metal liner. The nozzle and metal liner can be coupled by a welding, brazing, and/or any other fusion process between similar metals. In at least one instance, the nozzle can be join two distinct metal liners in forming the launch tube. The composite material can be wrapped and/or otherwise formed over the nozzle and metal liner(s).

The nozzle can be positioned aft, or rearward, of the firing pin sleeve. Depending on the particular implementation of the launch tube, the nozzle can be positioned in substantially the middle of the longitudinally extending launch tube, closer to the muzzle end, and/or closer to the breech end. In at least one instance, the nozzle can be integrally formed with the metal liner as a single piece that receives a composite coating thereon.

The launch tube can include one or more accessory rails disposed around the circumference operable to couple accessories to the RPG launcher. The one or more accessory rails can be disposed on the upper side, side surface, and/or can include more than one accessory rail on each surface. The one or more accessory rails can be operable to receive any number of accessories including, but not limited, to optics, lights, infrared, iron sights, mounting points, etc. In at least one instance, the one or more accessory rails can be picatinny rails.

While the present disclosure is generally described with respect to a rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launcher, it is within the scope of this disclosure to use the composite wrapped, metal lined launch tube for any projectile launching system.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective cross-section view of a composite RPG launcher according to at least one example of the present disclosure. The RPG launcher 10 can include a longitudinally extending launch tube 100 including a metal liner 102 and a composite overwrap 104. The launch tube 100 can have an inner bore 106 formed by the metal liner 102 and/or composite overwrap 104. The inner bore 106 can be operable to receive projectiles (e.g. rocket propelled grenades) therein.

The launch tube 100 can be formed by a metal liner 102 overwrapped with a composite material 104. The composite overwrap 104 can be any composite material including, but not limited to, woven fibers, carbon fiber, etc. The composite wrap 104 and a weaver of fibers therein can be aligned along the launch tube 100 to maximize the strength and durability of the launch tube 100. The composite wrap 104 can be overwrapped and/or adhered to the metal liner 102 with an adhesive. The composite wrap 104 formed over the metal liner 102 can dry, harden, and/or temperature cured to form the launch tube 100. In at least one instance, the composite wrap 104 is cured by exposure to a light source at a predetermined wave length (e.g. ultraviolet).

The composite overwrap 104 formed over the metal liner 102 can produce minute voids, air bubbles, and/or gaps between the metal liner 102 and the composite overwrap 104. The metal liner 102 can be formed of a material operable to deform, slightly, to fills theses voids, air bubbles, and/or gaps upon first firing the RPG launcher 10. In at least one instance, the metal liner 102 can be a nickel and/or nickel alloy. In other instances, the metal liner 102 can be any metal with sufficient malleability to deform upon firing and thereby fill the voids, air bubbles, and/or gaps formed by the composite overwrap 104.

FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed view of a muzzle end of an RPG launcher according to at least one instance of the present disclosure. The launch tube 100 can extend a longitudinal length 150 and have a muzzle end 108 and a breech end 110. The muzzle end 108 can be operably engaged with a muzzle sleeve 112 and the breech end 110 can be operably engaged with a breech sleeve 114. The muzzle sleeve 112 can terminate the composite wrap 104 at the muzzle end 108 to prevent unwrapping or damage through use of the RPG launcher 10. The breech sleeve 114 can similarly terminate the composite wrap 104 at the breech end 110.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a firing pin assembly according to the present disclosure. The launch tube 100 can include firing pin aperture 116 formed through the metal liner 102 and/or the composite overwrap 104. The firing pin aperture 116 can receive a firing pin sleeve 118 formed of substantially similar material as the metal liner 102 and/or any other suitable material. In at least on instance, the firing pin sleeve 118 is formed of stainless steel and/or a similar material with substantially similar properties.

The firing pin sleeve 118 can protect the metal liner 102 and the composite wrap 104 during operation of the RPG launcher 10. The firing pin aperture 116 would otherwise expose the metal liner 102 and the composite overwrap 104 to heat and gas from operation, which may reduce the durability of the RPG launcher. In at least one instance, the firing pin sleeve 118 can be inserted into the firing pin aperture 116 and mechanically flared out such that the firing pin sleeve 118 can be axially constrained. The firing pin sleeve 118 can be mechanically flared if the firing pin sleeve 118 material is capable of plastic deformation. In other instances, the firing pin sleeve 118 is brazed, welded, and/or otherwise coupled with the metal liner 102 at a braze joint 122. The brazing, welding, and/or other coupling can produce a substantially continuous metal liner 102 and firing pin sleeve 118. The firing pine sleeve 118 can also be a 2-part sleeve with a threadable coupling on each distal end. In at least one instance, the firing pin sleeve 118 can have the composite overwrap 104 wrapped thereon.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of a nozzle assembly according to the present disclosure. The launch tube 100 can include a nozzle 120 positioned within the inner bore 106 to direct exhaust gases during operation of the RPG launcher. The nozzle 120 can be any material suitable for exposure to exhaust gases of a rocket propelled grenade (or other projectile). In at least one instance, the nozzle 120 can be stainless steel and brazed, welded, or otherwise coupled with the metal liner 102.

The nozzle 120 can be coupled adjacent pieces of a two part metal liner 102. The metal liner 102 can be formed from two distinct pieces forward of the nozzle 120 and aft of the nozzle 120. The two part metal liner 102 and nozzle 120 can be coupled together via brazing, welding, threading, press-fit and/or other coupling at the braze joint 122 to form a substantially continuous metal liner 102 over which the composite overwrap 104 can be formed.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an RPG launcher according to the present disclosure. The RPG launcher 10 and/or launch tube 100 can implement any number of accessories coupled therewith. In at least one instance, the launch tube 100 includes an accessory rail 136 coupled therewith. The accessory rail 136 can be a picatinny rail, M-LOC, or any other coupling system. The accessory rail 136 can be operable to receiver optics, lights, iron sights, target designators, or any other accessory. In some instances, the launch tube 100 can include a plurality of accessory rails 136 coupled on any side providing the ability to couple multiple accessories to the RPG launcher.

The RPG launcher 10 can implement one or more of the features described above to implement a launch tube 100 having a reduced overall weight, improved durability, and life cycle.

FIG. 6 illustrates an RPG launcher including a lower receiver according to the present disclosure. The launch tube 100 can be operably coupled to a receiver 124 including a launch control system 126. The receiver 124 can couple with the launch tube 100 via a quick connect assembly allowing easy removal, maintenance, and re-assembly of the RPG launcher 10. The receiver 124 can operably engage with the launch tube 100 aligning a firing pin 128 with the firing pin aperture 116 of the launch tube 100. In at least one instance, the receiver 124 can operably engage the muzzle sleeve 112 to assist in alignment and securement of the receiver 124 with the launch tube 100. In some instances, the muzzle sleeve 112 can include a notch or groove to further assist in alignment and/or securement of the receiver 124 with the launch tube 100.

The receiver 124 can be detachably coupled and engaged with the launch tube 100 providing rapid maintenance, interchangeability, and/or transportation. The receiver 124 can be decoupled from the launch tube 100 reducing the cross-section of the RPG launcher 10 during transportation and/or storage.

The launch control system 126 can include the firing pin 128, a trigger 130, a hammer 132, and/or a safety 134. The launch control system 126 can allow an operator to actuate the trigger 130 causing the hammer 132 to impact the firing pin 128. The firing pin impacting a projectile within the launch tube 100 can cause operation of the weapon. The safety 134 can prevent actuation of the trigger 130 and/or hammer 132, thus rendering the RPG launcher 10 “safe.”

The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the attached claims. It will therefore be appreciated that the embodiments described above may be modified within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A projectile launch system comprising: a longitudinally extending launch tube having an inner bore formed therethrough, the launch tube having a metal liner and a composite overwrap formed over the metal liner; a firing pin aperture formed in the longitudinally extending launch tube; a firing pin sleeve coupled with the metal liner and extending through at least a portion of the firing pin aperture; and a receiver including a launch control system.
 2. The projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein the metal liner is a nickel liner and/or nickel alloy.
 3. The projectile launch system of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle within the inner bore, the nozzle coupled with the metal liner.
 4. The projectile launch system of claim 3, wherein the nozzle is brazed to the metal liner.
 5. The projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein the metal liner is formed from a forward metal liner and an aft metal liner, the forward metal liner and the aft metal liner having a nozzle disposed therebetween.
 6. The projectile launch system of claim 5, wherein the forward metal liner and the aft metal liner are brazed to the nozzle.
 7. The projectile launch system of claim 1, further comprising an accessory rail.
 8. The projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein the composite overwrap is coupled with the metal liner by an adhesive.
 9. The projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein the launch tube has gaps between the metal liner and the composite overwrap, wherein the metal liner expands into the gaps after actuation of a projectile.
 10. The projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein launch tube includes a muzzle sleeve and a breech sleeve.
 11. The projectile launch system of claim 10, wherein the muzzle sleeve terminates the composite overwrap at a muzzle end of the launch tube.
 12. The projectile launch system of claim 10, wherein the breech sleeve terminates the composite overwrap at a breech end of the launch tube.
 13. The projectile launch system of claim 1, wherein the receiver is detachably coupled to the launch tube.
 14. The projectile launch system of claim 13, wherein the receiver is detached from the launch tube during transportation.
 15. A projectile launch system comprising: a longitudinally extending launch tube having an inner bore formed therethrough, the launch tube having a muzzle end and a breech end, the muzzle end operable to receive at least a portion of a projectile into at least a portion of the inner bore, the longitudinally extending launch tube comprising: a metal liner; and a composite overwrap disposed around the metal liner; a firing pin aperture formed in the longitudinally extending launch tube; a firing pin sleeve coupled with the metal liner and extending through at least a portion of the firing pin aperture; and a receiver including a launch control system wherein the muzzle end of the longitudinally extending launch tube terminates at a muzzle sleeve and the breech end of the longitudinally extending launch tube terminates at a breech sleeve.
 15. The projectile launch system of claim 14, wherein the metal liner is a nickel liner and/or nickel alloy.
 16. The projectile launch system of claim 14, wherein the metal liner is formed from a forward metal liner and an aft metal liner, the forward metal liner and the aft metal liner having a nozzle disposed therebetween.
 17. The projectile launch system of claim 16, wherein the forward metal liner and the aft metal liner are brazed to the nozzle.
 18. The projectile launch system of claim 14, wherein the composite overwrap is coupled with the metal liner by an adhesive.
 19. The projectile launch system of claim 14, wherein the launch tube has gaps between the metal liner and the composite overwrap, wherein the metal liner expands into the gaps after actuation of a projectile.
 20. The projectile launch system of claim 14, wherein the muzzle sleeve terminates the composite overwrap at the muzzle end of the launch tube and wherein the breech sleeve terminates the composite overwrap at the breech end of the launch tube. 